Kyongsook Kim, also known as Lois Kim, found herself in a state of shock when she was laid off from Google in 2023. After 30 years of feeling secure in her corporate job, she was suddenly faced with uncertainty and a loss of identity. Moving from Korea to the San Francisco Bay Area five years prior for a prestigious position at Google, Kim felt as though she had been dumped by a long-term partner. The emotional toll of the layoff left her feeling depressed and questioning her own value.
In the aftermath of being let go, Kim went through the five stages of grief before coming to a realization. She asked herself, “You’ve worked for 30 years in the corporate world — isn’t that enough? What else do I want to do?” This introspection led her to create a list of 10 jobs she had always wanted to try, ranging from working as a cashier at Trader Joe’s to becoming a librarian. Within just 10 days of being laid off, Kim took action and started a part-time role at Trader Joe’s.
Juggling three part-time jobs, Kim found herself working long hours to make ends meet. Starting with 20 hours a week at Trader Joe’s, 15-20 hours at Starbucks, and another 15-20 hours driving for Lyft, she was putting in nearly 70 hours of work per week. Despite the challenges, Kim saw this as a way to cope and overcome difficult times, rather than a purely financial decision.
Working in different roles opened Kim’s eyes to a new world and taught her valuable lessons. She gained confidence, met amazing people, and learned more about herself in the process. Transitioning from a high-performing corporate executive to a barista was a humbling experience, but one that ultimately led to personal growth and a promotion to a manager role at Trader Joe’s.
Through her gap year experience, Kim realized that her job title did not define her identity. She encouraged others facing similar situations to treat their next steps as a project, focusing on new experiences and connections. By staying connected with friends and former colleagues, Kim found support and even new opportunities. Embracing her gap year as a learning experience, Kim decided to share her journey with others and even began writing a book about her experience.
In conclusion, Kim’s story serves as a reminder that a job loss does not have to define one’s future. By embracing change, seeking new experiences, and staying connected with others, individuals can navigate challenging times and discover new paths forward.
